July 24, 2008

A REVEALING I'VIEW W/ JOEY ARIAS

FROM GAY CITY NEWS:

I did take hormones when I was with Raven O and I got a little fleshy, but I stopped just before the tits started to pop and that's why my hips grew -- never had 'em before. I was gonna get the tits and be topless for the last Cirque show and Mugler was like, 'That would be incredible!' But after a month, he said, 'You know what? Don't put the tits in. Keep the fantasy and androgyny.' But I'm the last of the chromosomes: there's X and Y and me -- Z!"

Joey and Basil Twist's delicious show ARIAS WITH A TWIST has been extended until 8/31 at Here performance space. I got to catch it with Ebony Jett, who was in town for Florent's closing party, only to find that it was Basil's birthday and a special party followed.

Here has a new entrance around a corner from it's previous one, and I bumped into Suzanne Bartsch where we kvetchd "Here is no longer here! Here is now over there!" But we finally found it and what a find. I was at the premiere of Zumanity in Las Vegas 6 years ago, and I totally thought that his talents were mis-used. So it must be a thrill for him to leave Zumanity and all of the dullness that living--not vacationing--in Vegas has to offer after that lengthy 6-year run of playing femcee to jugglers. To come home and do the show that you knew you had in you and get a great NY TImes review must be awfully satisfying for Miss Thing.

To create a one-woman show is not easy. Joey's character isn't easily defined. Or you need to be a little more sophisticated to get it. When Vegas theater-goers were treated to a man in Betty Page fetish gear who sang like Billie Holiday, I think many scratched their heads in confusion. Not so in New York, where Joey really accomplishes what Zumanity set out to do--transport you into a mysterious world of illusion, sexuality (Joey is a whore to the core both onstage and off, as I am), music and thanks to Basil's on-a-budget ingenuity, beauty. The sets and the puppetry are to die for and I was dying with jealousy as golden fans magically appeared and formed bell sleeves when Joey raised his arms, a chorus of puppet showgirls did high kicks behind their featured star (first pic), and for the finale, the stage exploded into a full-on Busby Berkeley extravaganza (below) with the aid of mirrors and projections.

With original music by Alex Gifford of the Propellerheads, Joey's vocal homage to Lady Day is as strong as ever. Some of those through the stratosphere notes seem to soar even an octave above Mariah Carey! But the song selection isn't a rehash of Joey's classic Bar D'O hits. In fact, I was disappointed that he only sang a snatch of Peggy Lee's IS THAT ALL THERE IS. The songs are woven together into a soundscape with really pulsates but which isn't always delineated into actual songs with a beginning, end, and "thank you." My one complaint is that it's difficult to comprehend the lyrics of songs you've never heard before, especially when they're filtered through the odd, emotive voice of Billie Holiday. So I did not catch a lot of the lyrics, particularly in the opening #, which featured a loud rock accompaniment. Of course, when one is mounted on a revolving circle of neon blue light, you enjoy the sheer spectacle can tap your toe and miss a few words. At the end of the show I couldn't really tell you what the narrative was or if one was intended. But what a thrilling ride!

6 Comments:

Daniel said...

This is my favorite Lady Bunny and Joey Arias story. From the late great Jackie 60.

"Me,alone,in drag, downstairs dressing room, waiting to go on stage... Knock on dressing room door. I lean over and open the door to find this swarthy latin GOD smiling and asking in broken english " Joey? You remember me, yes? " " Oh yes I remember you" I said, ( I guess he forgot what Joey looked like) I pulled him in and locked the door. In seconds flat the big uncut italian meat came out and the next thing I know my eyebrows are stuck to his butt cheeks. All the while he is telling me " Oh Joey you suck me so good...Oh Joey my ass to be eaten by you is such a treat...Oh Joey...and on and on...The next thing I know there's a knock at the door and I hear Joey's voice. I say to the hot italian that is my call to go on stage and I open the door to find Joey with this look on his face like someone stole his lollipop. I say, " Hey girl, The meat's been pre heated for you, I'm on stage now" Joey say's " Thanks girl for keeping it warm for me" and off I go to do my number sans eyebrows. As I exit the stud says.." hey..you not a Joey..: And I say no baby, My name is Lady Bunny."